Digital Cameras

Canon EOS D60

    This is my primary camera body.  I launched into digital photography in 2006 after a long period of using 35mm film.  When Agfa ceased operations and Kodak dropped printing papers, I was convinced to go digital.  The D60 is a very solid camera compared to the Digital Rebel in size and build.  The D60 is also one of the least expensive professional cameras on the market today.  6 Megapixels effectively replaces 35mm film for a 11x14 print.  The only disadvantage to the D60 is that it will not accept the newer EF-S lenses.

Canon EF 17-40mm f4L USM

    This is the lens I use most with the D60 body.  It has an excellent coverage range from wide angle (17mm) to a long normal focal length (40mm).  It is a little slow at f4 but I can't remember when I've ever taken a photograph of a train at a wide aperature.  Trains and landscapes require excellent depth of field and this Canon lens delivers on those aspects.

Canon EF 50mm f1.8 mark II

    This is my inbetween focal length for a normal and telephoto lens.  This is Canon's least expensive and one of the sharpest lenses out there.  It is also relatively fast at f1.8.  The only drawback to the Canon 50mm is its construction build.  This lens has a plastic mount as opposed to the metal mount of older 50mm lenses.  Therefore you need to be gentle when slipping this 50mm onto the camera body.  Otherwise the optics are excellent and are a great bargain.

Canon EF 70-200mm f4L USM

    This is my telephoto lens for reaching far back into track perspective or details in a landscape setting.  This is one of Canon's best built lenses in existence.  It is compact for a "L" series telephoto lens.  It does a great job of reaching far back at the equal of a 320mm lens for a 35mm.

Canon Powershot A520

    This is my point and shoot camera for small occasions.  Like all other Canon products it is a well built and technologically engineered camera.  There are a variety of functions to keep you happy.  I have tried the AVI quicktime movies and have been impressed with the results.  While they will not be broadcast movies, and they are excellent for making an on the fly recording.  This camera will only support JPEG images but for snapshots that is perfect in my book.



4x5 Camera & Lenses

Tachihara 4x5 Field

    This is my primary analog camera.  I have chosen to concentrate on large format after seeing no need for the other film formats.  This traditional wood field camera takes 4x5 cut film holders, and lenses mounted on a Linof type board.  I like the Tachihara for its compact size and weight.  This makes travel either via a backpack or a camera case easy.  This beauty also seems to attact the attention of curious people.  Maybe its the polished brass or perhaps the bright cherrywood finish?  In any case I'll hang onto this gem long after film is gone.

Nikkor-SW 90mm f8

    This is my wide angle lens for the field camera.  I have been very happy with its solid performance and construction.  It is a large lens but the Tachihara's original bellows accomidate the large rear element with no problem.  There is not much room for shift or tilt movement.  In most landscape applications this is not nescessary.

Nikkor-W 150mm f5.6

    This is my preferred normal lens for the field camera.  The Nikkor was one of the first lenses I bought for the Tachihara.  It was an excellent field of view without any negligable distortion.  It is relatively bright at f5.6.  I have used it to do railroad photography in addition to landscapes.

Rodenstock Geronar 210mm f6.8

    This is my longer normal lens for the field camera.  This is one of the most compact and sharp 210mm focal lengths out there.  The Tachihara will not acommidate a longer lens than 210mm due to the draw length of the bellows.  This lens is a nice solution to getting in close focus with your subject.


4x5 Film

Kodak Portra 160VC

    This is my preferred film for landscape work.  Portra 160VC is pretty much your only choice for landscape photography if you wish to print in your own darkroom.  The color is vivid as Kodak promises, and the grain structure is fine.  No complaints other than Kodak should keep manufacturing it.

Kodak Portra 400NC

    I have started to experiment with Portra 400NC for railroad photography.  I will post some more information as this trial of color begins.

Fujichrome Velvia


    I still like Fujichrome Velvia very much.  I usually go for whatever is on sale on eBay for the past date specials, and store the film in my freezer.  It makes doing E-6 a lot less expensive.

Kodak E100G


     I've managed to get some Ektachrome on sale.  Some of the best past date specials are on E100G at the moment.  A good way to keep doing large format chromes.

Ilford HP5 Plus

    This is my alternative to the new Kodak Professional Tri-X film.  Density testing HP5 Plus was not straight forward and it took me a few tries to get it right.  Once I did I was happy with the results and have given Kodak the boot.  When it comes to B&W landscape or railroad work I'll be using HP5 Plus.

Kodak T-Max 100

    I still have a few sheets of the old formula T-Max 100.  When I feel like its slow motion time I usually pop in a few sheets into my film holders.  The film has excellent grain structure and I have no complaints when it comes to printing.

Maco IR 820c

    This is the only large format infrared sheet film out there.  I have enjoyed using this film even though it is slow as a turtle.  Maco discontinued this film but it has reappared on a Rollei label recently.  At more than $80 a box I may have to give up my infrared habit.


Darkroom & Processing

    I am moving more and more to digital photography.  However I can't forget my roots in analog photography and the darkroom.  My home darkroom is usually an evening experience since there are a few light leaks during the daytime.  For processing film I use a Jobo CPP-2 processor with the Jobo lift.  I can't say enough good things about the lift mechanism as it produces nearly perfect film and prints.  My 4x5 film gets processed in a Jobo expert drum.  I try to overfill Jobo's specs by about 20% to make sure both film and paper are covered in the solution.  I dry my negatives in a Jobo film cabinet since the color negatives must have hot air drying.  I have a desitometer for plotting and reading film densities during testing proceedures.  When it comes to printing negatives I use an Omega D5-XL with a dicrohic lamphouse.  I am used to dialing in my own filters for both B&W and color photography.  I can't ever think of using any other type of lamphouse for printing.  I also have a Omega B66-XL with a dicrohic lamphouse for flashing prints.  I use one adjustable printing easel for prints from 5x7 to 11x14.  The 16x20 prints get produced on a standard "jaws" type easel.  I use low-tech methods when it comes to washing and drying prints.  For the B&W RC prints they are run through the large archival washer for 5 minutes and set aside on the drying  screens.  The B&W fiber prints are run though the archival washer for 5 minutes, then into Permawash for 5 minutes, and back into the archival washer for one more 5 minute wash.  After using this process for several years I have not had one print go bad yet.  Some photographers are complusive when it comes to washing, but I do not believe in this.  Follow your instructions on the label and you can't go wrong.  For color prints upon the completition of a Jobo process it's even more low tech.  The prints are squeegeed, and then dried by a hair dryer.  I looked into getting a roller transport print dryer but did not see the need to plunk a thousand dollars on it.  The less expensive low tech methods work perfectly!  When it comes to mounting photos, I do have the luxury of a small dry mount press.  I believe the chemical based photos look best dry mounted on mat board.


Digital Processing

     I have enjoyed the benefit of a recent computer upgrade.  All of my digital processing and website work are acomplished on a Mac Pro tower system.  I have the ability to work on both Macintosh OS X and Windows XP on my computer.  Most of my work is done on the Macintosh side since I believe in the Mac OS's durability.  I use a simple stand alone card reader to download images from both my compact flash and secure digital memory cards.  The images are imported into Adobe Photoshop CS2 for editing, sharpening, and color correction.  I also believe that display calibration is essential in order to edit photos.  I have a Eye One Match display calibrator to correct my LCD display for brightness, contrast and color.  My film is scanned on a flatbed scanner or larger images.  The older 35mm images are scanned on Canon 35mm scanner.  I was using Silverfast for my scanning software in years past.  I was prompted to change after Silverfast became too unstable for my scanners.  The fact that Silverfast will not support Intel Macs pushed me over to Vue Scan.  My first results with Vue Scan under OS X have been quite good.  I am impressed with Hamrick's ability to accomdiate many different platforms with its softare.  My digital images and color transparencies are printed on a Epson 1280 printer.  The Epson technology keeps getting better and better.  I am hooked on the heavyweight matte paper for both color and B&W digital images.


Sources for Equipment & Supplies


 B&H Photo has been my #1 source for equipment or supplies of any variety.  I appreciate their real time inventory system which lets you know if they really have an item.  Shipping has always been quick and on time.


Adorama Camera
 Adorama is every bit as good as B&H.  However they do run out of stock on some itmes from time to time.  If you do not mind waiting, they will always get the order out to you.  Adorama also stocks some great deals on refurbished equipment.  Shipping is a little bit more, but has always been on time.


KEH Camera Brokers
 KEH Camera has been my first choice when it comes to seeking used equipment.  I have been rarely dissapointed by their cameras and lenses.  I also believe they "undergrade" their stock…meaning its better than the grade they give it!  They ship quick and you won't be dissapointed.





eBay
 eBay has been my source for darkroom equipment at a bargain price.  If there has not been a better time to get a darkroom setup, this is it.  Many enlargers, easels, processors and accessories can be bought on the cheap.  The one drawback to eBay is understanding your seller and PayPal.  I usually do business with sellers with 99% or better feedback.  If you choose anyone else you are asking for trouble.  Second, watch out for PayPal.  A little known clause in their user agreement provides no protection to your banking information and they can freeze your account at any time.  Therefore I like paying via check or money order.  Otherwise eBay is fantastic.

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©2008 Sam Reeves